Licensed Mental Health Professional
Job description
About the role
In this role, you own the clinical oversight and direct care delivery to older adults residing in long-term care settings, ensuring that mental health services are provided with compassion and cultural sensitivity. You own the responsibility of conducting thorough psychosocial assessments and developing individualized treatment plans that align with the unique needs and goals of each senior resident. You will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary team members to integrate mental health support into the broader medical and social care framework, enhancing overall resident outcomes. This position requires you to foster therapeutic relationships that empower residents to navigate life transitions, process emotions, and maintain or regain a sense of personal agency. You are the primary mental health expert on site, guiding colleagues and care partners in recognizing and responding to behavioral health concerns. You will actively participate in quality improvement initiatives aimed at refining service delivery and demonstrating the impact of mental health interventions in senior living environments. In addition, you serve as a resource for facility staff, offering education and consultation on topics such as dementia-related behaviors, grief, depression, and anxiety. Ultimately, your work will contribute directly to improving emotional well-being, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and supporting the mission of extending compassionate, high-quality care to aging populations.
Key facts
What you'll do
Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments for residents in long-term care and senior living communities to identify emotional, cognitive, and behavioral needs.
Deliver evidence-based psychotherapy interventions tailored to the developmental, cultural, and physical considerations of older adult populations.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including nursing, physicians, and activity therapy staff, to coordinate holistic care plans that support overall well-being.
Provide individual and group therapeutic sessions that promote emotional regulation, coping skills, and meaningful social connection among residents.
Support families and designated support persons in understanding and responding to the mental health needs of their loved ones in care settings.
Lead crisis response efforts when behavioral health emergencies arise, working with onsite teams to de-escalate situations and connect residents with appropriate levels of care.
Facilitate psychoeducation workshops for staff and residents on topics such as dementia, depression, anxiety, and end-of-life emotional concerns.
Monitor and document clinical progress using consistent, compliant record-keeping practices that meet regulatory and billing requirements for fee-for-service models.
Participate in care planning meetings to align mental health goals with medical treatment plans and daily care routines.
Act as a clinical leader within the facility, modeling best practices in geriatric mental health and advocating for resources that enhance the emotional environment of the community.
Promote person-centered approaches that honor the life history, preferences, and values of each resident during therapeutic interactions.
Identify opportunities for program expansion and service enhancement based on ongoing assessment of resident needs and emerging best practices in senior behavioral health.
Requirements
Hold a current, active license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Tennessee.
Possess a Master's or Doctoral degree in a mental health discipline from an accredited institution, with coursework that includes aging, psychopathology, and therapeutic intervention strategies.
Demonstrate prior clinical experience working with older adult populations in mental health, geriatric psychiatry, or long-term care settings.
Maintain professional liability insurance coverage appropriate for independent clinical practice in long-term care environments.
Be proficient in conducting both individual and group therapy with seniors, including those with cognitive impairments such as dementia, while adapting interventions to meet varying levels of capacity.
Understand the ethical and legal considerations associated with providing mental health services to vulnerable adults, including issues related to capacity, consent, and confidentiality.
Be able to travel within the Lafayette, TN area to provide services across multiple senior living facilities as scheduled.
Commit to ongoing professional development in geriatric mental health to ensure current knowledge of evidence-based practices and regulatory standards.
Nice to have
Experience with telehealth platforms and hybrid service delivery models in senior care settings.
Familiarity with documentation requirements specific to fee-for-service billing for mental health services in long-term care.
Training in evidence-based therapies adapted for older adults, such as reminiscence therapy, cognitive stimulation therapy, or supportive psychotherapy models.
Practical notes
This position is based in Lafayette, Tennessee, with a scheduled fixed day per week initially, and the potential to expand to additional surrounding buildings to support a full-time schedule depending on performance and facility needs.
Travel within the local area is required to support services across multiple senior living communities.
No sponsorship or visa support is available for this role.
Candidates must be able to meet all local, state, and federal requirements for practicing mental health services in long-term care facilities.